JPH11348302A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] In a purge process performed immediately after an ink cartridge is replaced, an ink jet recording having a manifold capable of ensuring good air bubble discharge performance and reducing the number of subsequent purge processes. Provide equipment. An ink jet head provided with a plurality of ejection channels arranged in line, the ink jet head and an ink cartridge are connected to each other, and the ink of the ink cartridge is supplied to the plurality of ejection channels. A manifold 40 having an ink supply path 43 for supplying the ink, the ink supply path 43 having a connection portion 44 connected to the ink cartridge 50, and a tapered shape continuously extending from the connection portion 44 and surrounding the ink supply port 33a. The inner surface of the enlarged portion 45 is curved so as to protrude inward on the connection portion 44 side and is curved so as to protrude outward on the ink jet head 31 side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus in which an ink supply source and an ink jet head are connected to each other by a manifold having an ink supply path, and in particular, discharge of air bubbles existing in the ink supply path in a purge process. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus having excellent properties.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer records characters and images on a recording medium such as paper by ejecting ink droplets from an ink jet head mounted on a carriage. An ink cartridge filled with ink is exchangeably attached to the head via a manifold having an ink supply path.

The ink-jet head includes a large number of ink storage chambers provided in an aligned state, and an electromechanical conversion element, an electro-thermal conversion element, or the like, which ejects ink stored in each ink storage chamber from a nozzle as ink droplets. The ink in the ink cartridge is supplied to each ink storage chamber through the ink supply path of the manifold, and is ejected from the ink storage chamber by the actuator as ink droplets.

[0004] By the way, the ink filled in the ink cartridge usually has a considerable amount of air dissolved therein, and when replacing the ink cartridge, a certain amount of air is discharged from the connection portion between the ink cartridge and the manifold. Penetrates into the ink supply passage of the manifold, such air grows in the ink supply passage and hinders the ink supply to the ink reservoir of the inkjet head, or is taken into the ink reservoir of the inkjet head together with the ink. In addition, there is a problem that closing the ink storage chamber causes printing failure due to non-ejection of ink droplets.

Therefore, conventionally, a purging process has been generally performed in which the air in the manifold is discharged to the outside together with the ink by sucking the ink from the nozzle side of the ink jet head at the time of replacing the ink cartridge or periodically after replacing the ink cartridge. It is being done.

In the above-described manifold, since it is necessary to cover the entirety of the ink storage chamber row constituted by a large number of ink storage chambers provided in the ink jet head, the ink supply path is formed from the ink cartridge side to the ink jet head. In general, the ink supply path 61a has an enlarged surface extending toward the head side, as shown in FIG. 9A. And an enlarged portion 6 of the ink supply path 61b as shown in FIG.
There is a hemispherical shape that is curved so that the inner surface of 2b projects entirely outward.

[0007]

FIG. 9 (a)
As shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure, the manifold 60a provided with the trumpet-shaped ink supply path 61a shown in FIG. Is close to a flat surface, so that the ink arrives almost simultaneously over the entire area of the ink storage chamber row formed by the plurality of ink storage chambers 71 formed in the inkjet head 70, and exists in the manifold 60a. Since the air is almost uniformly pushed out, the manifold 60
There is an advantage that the air in “a” hardly remains partially as bubbles, and the bubble discharging property in the purge process is relatively excellent.

However, the trumpet-shaped ink supply path 6
1a, the ink supply path 6
Since the outer periphery of the front end of 1a and the rear end of the inkjet head 70 form a narrow wedge-shaped space, air tends to remain there. Then, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the air grows as a bubble B over time, the bubble B adheres to the ceiling surface of the ink supply path 61a by buoyancy. Because of the narrow wedge-shaped space,
In a short period of time, the grown bubble B easily comes into contact with the inlet of the ink storage chamber 71 and is taken into the ink storage chamber 71, so that there is a disadvantage that printing failure due to non-ejection of ink is likely to occur.

Further, since the inner surface of the enlarged portion 62a is curved so as to protrude inward, the volume of the entire ink supply path 61a is reduced, and as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Since the ink comes into contact with the inlet of the ink storage chamber 71 in a short time and is taken into the ink storage chamber 52a, the time required for performing non-ejection of ink in many of the ink storage chambers 71 after performing the purge process is shortened. There is a disadvantage that the purging process must be performed frequently.

On the other hand, a hemispherical enlarged portion 6 shown in FIG.
In the manifold 60b provided with 2b, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), there is a certain depth at the corners at both ends of the row of ink storage chambers. The grown bubble B is stored in the ink storage chamber 7.
It takes a certain amount of time to reach the inlet 1 and the inner surface of the enlarged portion 62b forming the corners at both ends of the ink storage chamber row is steep. However, even if there is residual growth, air bubbles easily float to the ink cartridge side due to buoyancy, as indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Therefore, there is an advantage that the number of times of the purge process can be reduced.

Further, since the inner surface of the enlarged portion 62b is curved so as to protrude outward, the volume of the enlarged portion 62b is increased as a whole, and as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. It takes a certain amount of time for the bubbles grown in the central portion to come into contact with the inlet of the ink storage chamber 71 and be taken into the ink storage chamber 71, so that the number of purging processes can be reduced in this regard as well. There is an advantage.

However, the hemispherical ink supply path 61
In the manifold 60b provided with the ink storage chamber b, the interface between the ink and air moving inside the manifold 60b is largely curved at the time of initial ink introduction, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9B. Bubbles formed by the ink in the center of the ink storage chamber row already arriving at both ends of the ink storage chamber row where the ink does not reach almost simultaneously over the entire area of the row and the arrival of the ink is delayed. Are likely to remain in the manifold 60b, and have a disadvantage in that the air bubbles are inferior in the purging process immediately after the replacement of the ink cartridge.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus having a manifold capable of ensuring good air bubble discharge performance and reducing the number of subsequent purging processes in a purging process performed immediately after replacement of an ink cartridge. It is intended to provide a device.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a plurality of ink storage chambers for storing ink to be ejected; An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink jet head; and a manifold connecting the ink jet head and an ink supply source to each other, and having an ink supply path for supplying ink from the ink supply source to the plurality of aligned ink storage chambers. Wherein the ink supply path extends continuously from a connection portion connected to the ink supply source to a row end formed by the ink supply ports of the plurality of aligned ink storage chambers from the connection portion. And a tapered enlarged portion surrounding the ink supply port, and the inner surface of the enlarged portion is curved so as to protrude inward at the connection portion side. In the ink jet head side with which it is characterized by being curved so as to protrude outward.

In the ink jet recording apparatus constructed as described above, the inner surface of the enlarged portion of the ink supply path into which ink enters is curved so as to protrude inward. During the purging process performed in step (b), the interface between the ink and the air that has entered the ink supply path becomes a curved surface that is almost flat, and the interface moves in the ink supply path while maintaining that state. A large time lag does not occur in the time for the ink to reach the inkjet head in the supply path, and the air present in the ink supply path is almost uniformly pushed to the inkjet head side.

Further, since the inner surface of the enlarged portion on the side of the ink jet head is curved so as to protrude outward, the volume of the enlarged portion is increased to some extent and formed by the inner surface of the enlarged portion and the end surface of the ink jet head. Since a certain depth is secured in the corner portion, and the gradient of the inner surface of the enlarged portion forming the corner portion with respect to the end surface of the ink jet head becomes large, air bubbles remaining in the ink supply path after performing the purge process Grows into the ink-jet head and the time required for the ink to be ejected can be extended.

In particular, as in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion of the ink supply path is
If the enlarged portion is formed so as to extend substantially outward from the connection portion from the connection portion, the ink is located at a position substantially corresponding to the center of the row formed by the plurality of ink storage chambers. It is uniformly and quickly introduced into the entire enlarged portion.

Further, as in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the plurality of ink supply ports of the ink jet head are arranged substantially in a horizontal plane, and the ink supply path of the manifold is provided with a plurality of ink supply paths. If the storage chamber is connected to the storage chamber from above, the air bubbles that float will not be concentrated and stay in the enlarged portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink-jet head provided with a plurality of ink storage chambers for storing ink to be ejected in an aligned state; A manifold having an ink supply path for supplying the ink of the ink supply source to the plurality of aligned ink storage chambers by interconnecting the inkjet head and the ink supply source;
A suction unit detachably connected to an ink jetting side of the ink jet head and filling the plurality of ink storage chambers with ink from the ink supply source through a manifold; By suction of the means, the interface of the ink supply ports of the plurality of ink storage chambers is formed at the end of the plurality of ink storage chambers so that the interface of the ink initially introduced from the ink supply source moves while maintaining a substantially flat curved surface. A first curved surface that protrudes inward while expanding in a tapered shape, and that surrounds the plurality of ink supply ports by a second curved surface that protrudes outward following the first curved surface; It is characterized in that it is connected to an inkjet head.

In the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above, when ink is initially introduced from the ink supply source into the ink supply path by suction of the suction means, the interface of the ink to be introduced has a substantially flat curved surface. As the ink travels through the ink supply path, a large time lag does not occur in the ink arrival time at the ink jet head in the ink supply path, and the air existing in the ink supply path is almost uniformly It is pushed out to the head side.

Further, since the ink supply passage is connected to the ink jet head so as to surround the plurality of ink supply ports by a second curved surface protruding outwardly following the first curved surface, the ink supply passage is provided. Of the second curved surface and an end surface of the inkjet head, a certain depth is secured in the corner formed by the second curved surface and the end surface of the inkjet head. Since the gradient with respect to the end face of the ink becomes large, after the ink is initially introduced by the suction means, the bubbles remaining in the ink supply path grow and are taken into the ink jet head by the time, and the time until the ink is not discharged is reduced. Can be extended.

Particularly, as in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the second curved surface has a steep angle with respect to the surface of the ink jet head including the ink supply ports of the plurality of ink storage chambers. If the connection is made in the above manner, the ink easily flows into the corner formed by the second curved surface and the end face of the inkjet head,
Air bubbles that stay there can be reduced, and the air bubbles can easily float.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus in which a plurality of ink storage chambers for storing ink to be ejected are provided in an aligned state. An ink jet head having an ink supply port for supplying ink to the storage chamber on one side, and an ink inlet connected to an ink supply source opened on one end, and the other end connected to the ink jet head. A manifold provided with an ink supply path having an ink outlet opening to a size surrounding the plurality of ink supply ports, the ink supply path of the manifold is located at the ink inlet side. The ink spills out toward the row end of the plurality of ink supply ports while curving so as to protrude inward. On the part curved to protrude outward, it is characterized by being connected at a steep angle to the opening surface of the ink supply port of said ink jet head.

In the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above, since the manifold has a shape in which both ends are independently opened, the manifold having the above-described ink supply path can be easily formed by injection molding using a mold. Can be manufactured.

[0025]

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 ejects four color inks of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black onto a printing paper P as a recording medium to perform printing or image formation (hereinafter, image formation). And a head unit 30 provided with four ink jet heads 31 and four ink cartridges 50 serving as ink supply sources for supplying ink liquids of four colors to the respective ink jet heads 31. Are mounted on the carriage 11.

On the lower side of the head unit 30, a platen roller 18 is rotatably provided in parallel with the reciprocating direction of the platen roller 18 so as to face the lower surface of the ink jet head 31. A printing unit is constituted by 31.

The carriage 11 has an ink jet head 31 supported at both ends by a frame (not shown).
Slidably supported by a carriage shaft 12 and a guide plate 13 extending in the reciprocating direction of the
It is connected to a belt 16 spanned between 4 and 15,
When the pulley 14 is driven to rotate by the motor 17, the carriage 11 reciprocates linearly.

The printing paper P is inserted between the ink jet head 31 and the platen roller 18, where it is printed, and then discharged in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. In FIG. 1, illustration of the paper feed mechanism for the printing paper P is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the head unit 30 is provided with four manifolds 40 for connecting the respective ink cartridges 50 to the respective ink jet heads 31.
Reference numeral 0 denotes an ink cartridge that is fixed to one end so as to cover the upper surface of the inkjet head 31, and that the ink cartridge 50 is detachably connected to the other end via a joint member 50a. In addition, as shown in the figure, the ink cartridge 50 has a first ink chamber 51 for storing a porous ink absorbing material such as polyurethane foam.
And a second ink chamber 52 communicating with the first ink chamber 51.
The ink liquid flows from the ink absorbing material impregnated with the ink liquid in the first ink chamber 51 to the manifold 40 from the ink supply port 53 through the communication hole 51a and the second ink chamber 52. Supplied. The ink supply port 53 is provided with a mesh filter 53a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink jet head 31 includes an actuator 32 made of piezoelectric ceramic for ejecting an ink liquid, and a nozzle plate 34 mounted on one end surface of the actuator 32. 32, a plurality of ejection channels 33 as ink storage chambers extending from one end surface serving as a lower surface to the other end surface serving as an upper surface are formed in a state of being arranged in two rows. A large number of nozzle holes (not shown) are formed corresponding to each injection channel 33 opened at one end surface of the nozzle 32.

Each ejection channel 33 formed in the actuator 32 has an ink supply port 33 of each ejection channel 33 opened on the other end face of the actuator 32.
From a, the ink liquid in the ink cartridge 50 is introduced through an ink supply path 43 formed in the manifold 40, and the volume of the ejection channel 33 is changed by deforming the actuator 32. Thus, the ejection of the ink liquid from the ejection channel 33 and the introduction of the ink liquid into the ejection channel 33 are performed. That is, when the volume of the ejection channel 33 decreases, the ink liquid stored in the ejection channel 33 is ejected from the nozzle holes of the nozzle plate 34 as ink droplets, and the volume of the ejection channel 33 expands to the original state. At times, an ink liquid is introduced into the ejection channel 33.

As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet head 31 set on the side of the platen roller 18 is provided.
In the reset state position, the ink suction device 21 as a suction unit for performing a purging process, the wiper device 26 for wiping the nozzle plate 34 of the inkjet head 31, and the inkjet head 31 when printing is not performed.
And a protective cap device 27 that covers the nozzle plate 34 and prevents the nozzle holes from drying, and is provided at the forced ejection position set on the opposite side of the reset state position across the platen roller 18. Is provided with an ink holding member 28 that absorbs and holds the ink that has been forcibly ejected in order to prevent the nozzle plate 34 from being visually marked by periodically forcibly ejecting the ink from the inkjet head 31. The ink suction device 21, the wiper device 26, and the protective cap device 27
The ink holding member 28 constitutes a recovery maintaining unit for recovering and maintaining the ejection function of the inkjet head 31.

The ink suction device 21 includes a suction pump 2
2, a suction unit 23, a waste ink tank 24, and a cam 25. The suction pump 22 and the suction unit 23 are driven by a power transmission mechanism (not shown) via the cam 25.

When the purging process is performed using the ink suction device 21, the suction unit 23 is
While the nozzle plate 34 is covered, the suction pump 2
2, a negative pressure is generated, and a defective ink liquid including air bubbles and the like in the ink supply path 43 and the ejection channel 33 of the manifold 40 is sucked, so that the ink cartridge 5
The ink jet head 31 is recovered by introducing a new ink liquid into the ejection channel 33 from zero. The sucked defective ink liquid is sent to the waste ink tank 24. After the ink cartridge 50 is replaced, the same operation is performed when the ink liquid is introduced into the inkjet head 31 from the new ink cartridge 50 (initial introduction).

The manifold 40 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, a frame 41 and a main body 42 disposed inside the frame 41 and partially connected to the inner surface of the frame 41.
The frame 41 has a pair of fixing pieces 41a fixed to the side surface on the other end side of the ink jet head 31 with an adhesive, and positioning when the manifold 40 is fixed to the ink jet head 31. And a pair of positioning pieces 41b are connected to each other. In addition,
By filling the space S formed between the frame 41 and the main body 42 with an adhesive in a state where the fixing piece 41a and the ink jet head 31 are fixed with the adhesive, the other end surface of the ink jet head 31 Is prevented from leaking.

An ink supply path 43 for supplying the ink liquid in the ink cartridge 50 to a plurality of ejection channels 33 formed in the ink jet head 31 is formed in the main body section 42.
Is a small-diameter connection portion 44 having an ink inlet 43a connected to the ink cartridge 50;
And an enlarged portion 45 having an ink outlet 43b that expands in a tapered shape from outside to surround the ink supply port 33a of the ejection channel 33. The ink inlet 43a of the connecting portion 44 has a mesh filter 40a.
Is attached.

The connection section 44 is located at substantially the center of a channel row constituted by a plurality of ejection channels 33, and the enlargement section 45 is connected to the ejection channel formed on the ink jet head 31 from the connection section 44. It extends almost symmetrically toward the end of the row. Therefore, the ink can be uniformly and promptly introduced into the entire enlarged portion 45 during the purging process.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7,
The enlarged portion 45 has an overhanging wall 45c whose inner surface enters from both ends thereof between the two channel rows aligned in two rows, and the overhanging wall 45c is formed by a plurality of injection channels 33. Is connected to the ceiling surface of the enlarged portion 45 which faces the ink supply port 33a of the second portion, and extends to a position close to the connection portion 44. There is a gap between the overhanging wall 45c and the inner surface of the enlarged portion 45 for allowing the ink liquid to flow.

As shown in FIG. 5, the inner surface of the enlarged portion 45 is curved so that the inner surface of the enlarged portion 45 is tapered toward the row end of the injection channel 33 on the connecting portion 44 side and protrudes inward. The ink jet head 31 has a first curved surface 45a and a second curved surface 45b that extends in a tapered shape and that is curved so as to protrude outward on the side of the first curved surface 45a. . That is, the connection portion 44
A substantially linear tapered surface that substantially connects the end of the side of the inkjet head 31 to the end of the row of the ejection channels 33;
The first curved surface 45a protruding inward and the second curved surface 45b protruding outward are provided on the connection portion 44 side and the inkjet head 31 side, respectively, as described above.
Preferably, the upstream portion of the enlarged portion 45 is gently opened at an angle C of approximately 1 to 45 degrees with respect to the extension of the connection portion 44, and the first curved surface 45a and the second curved surface 45b are separated. The connection is opened at an angle D of approximately 30-80 degrees. When the enlarged portion 45 is formed in such a shape, as shown in FIG. 8, the interface of the ink when sucked into the enlarged portion 45 by the purge process (initial introduction) performed immediately after the replacement of the ink cartridge 50 is performed. 9A, the first curved surface 45a is a curved surface that is almost a flat surface, as in the conventional example of FIG. 9A, and moves inside the enlarged portion 45. Then the second
Since the curved surface 45b of the second curved surface 45b is continuously extended with the first curved surface 45a, the interface A also moves on the second curved surface 45b without being largely collapsed. The ink liquid reaches the central portion and the end portion of the ejection channel row without a large time lag. Inside the enlarged part 45 is the overhanging wall 4
5c, the flow of the ink liquid appears for each ejection channel row.

Accordingly, the air present in the enlarged portion 45 is almost uniformly pushed out to the ink jet head 31 side, and the intruded air is unlikely to remain as bubbles at both ends in the enlarged portion 45. Almost the entire amount of air entering between the mesh filters 53a and 40a at the time of replacement of the ink cartridge 50 is discharged to the outside by a purge process performed immediately after the replacement of the ink cartridge 50.

Further, the second curved surface 45b of the enlarged portion 45 is curved so as to protrude outward, and
Is steeply connected to the other end surface of the ink jet head 31, the ink liquid flows from almost above into the corner formed by the second curved surface 45b and the other end surface of the inkjet head 31, and the air bubbles remaining in that portion Can be made extremely small. And even if the bubble grows, the second
Is curved so that the curved surface 45b protrudes outward, so that a certain depth h is secured above the corner portion, so that the bubbles float to and adhere to the second curved surface 45b and grow. The ink supply port 3 of the ejection channel 33 located at the end of the ejection channel row
It takes some time to reach 3a.

Further, since the second curved surface 45b of the enlarged portion 45 forming the corner portion is steep with respect to the other end surface of the ink jet head 31, the corner portion cannot be discharged by the purging process. Even when the microbubbles remain and grow, the bubbles easily float to the connection portion 44 side due to buoyancy, so that the bubbles are taken into the injection channel 33 within a short time after performing the purge process. There is no.

Further, due to the presence of the second curved surface 45 b which is curved so as to protrude outward, the volume of the enlarged portion 45 is increased to some extent, and the bubbles grown in the central portion of the enlarged portion 45 It takes a certain amount of time before it comes into contact with the ink supply port 33a and is taken into the ejection channel 33.

As described above, the inner surface of the enlarged portion 45 is curved so that the ink jet head 31 side protrudes outward, so that the bubbles remaining in the enlarged portion 45 grow and the ejection channels 33 of the ink jet head 31 are grown. Since the time until the ink liquid is taken in becomes longer, the time from when the purge process is performed to when the ink liquid is not discharged can be extended. Therefore, it is not necessary to frequently perform the purging process requiring several minutes of processing time, and the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can be used in a comfortable environment.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the ink jet recording apparatus 1, the other end surface of the ink jet head 31 opening the ink supply port 33a of the ejection channel 33 is substantially horizontal, and the ink of the manifold 40 is Since the supply path 43 is connected to the ink supply ports 33a of the plurality of ejection channels 33 from above the ink supply ports 33a, the ink supply paths 4 cannot be completely discharged by the purge process.
No matter where the air bubbles remain in the area 3, the connection 4
Since the air bubbles rise to the fourth side, the air bubbles do not stay at one place and stay in a non-ejection state early.

Further, since the above-described manifold 40 has a shape in which both ends are independently opened, a manifold having excellent dimensional accuracy can be easily formed by injection molding using a mold or the like.

Further, the above-described ink jet recording apparatus 1
Then, the nozzle plate 34 of the inkjet head 31
Although the purge process is performed by the ink suction device 21 that suctions from the side, it is not always necessary to perform the purge process by such a suction means, and the ink is pushed from the ink cartridge side to the ink jet head side with pressure. The purging process may be performed by means.

[0048]

According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the inner surface of the ink supply path is
The ink cartridge side is curved so as to protrude inward and the ink jet head side is curved so as to protrude outward. Therefore, in the purging process immediately after replacing the ink cartridge, the flat surface of the ink introduced into the ink supply path is formed. Since the air in the ink supply path is almost uniformly pushed out toward the ink jet head by the ink interface close to the air interface, air bubbles hardly remain in the ink supply path, and good air bubble discharge performance is secured.

Further, in the purging process performed immediately after the replacement of the ink cartridge, the air bubbles in the ink supply path cannot be completely exhausted. Even if some air bubbles remain in the ink supply path, the air bubbles remain. Since it is possible to extend the time required for the ink to grow and be taken into the ink-jet head and to reach a state in which ink is not ejected, it is not necessary to frequently perform the purging process. Use environment can be secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a manifold used in the above-described ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the manifold.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line ZZ in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a view conceptually showing an ink interface moving in a manifold during a purge process in the above ink jet recording apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing an ink interface moving within a manifold during a purge process in a conventional inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually showing a state of bubbles remaining in a manifold after a purge process in a conventional inkjet recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 ink jet recording device 21 ink suction device 30 head unit 31 ink jet head 32 actuator 33 ejection channel 33a ink supply port 34 nozzle plate 40 manifold 43 ink supply path 43a ink inlet 43b ink outlet 44 connecting part 45 enlargement part 45a first part Curved surface 45b Second curved surface 50 Ink cartridge

Claims (6)

[Claims] An ink jet head provided with a plurality of ink storage chambers for storing ink to be ejected arranged in an aligned state, and the ink jet head and an ink supply source are connected to each other to form a plurality of the aligned ink storage chambers. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a chamber having a manifold having an ink supply path for supplying ink from the ink supply source; wherein the ink supply path is aligned with a connection portion connected to the ink supply source, and And a tapered enlarged portion that continuously expands toward the row end formed by the ink supply ports of the plurality of the ink storage chambers and surrounds the ink supply port. The ink jet head is curved so as to protrude inward on the ink jet head side, and is curved so as to protrude outward on the ink jet head side. Liquid jet recording device. 2. A connection part of the ink supply path is located substantially corresponding to a center of a row formed by a plurality of the ink storage chambers, and the enlarged part extends almost outward from the connection part. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A plurality of ink supply ports of the ink jet head are arranged substantially in a horizontal plane, and an ink supply path of the manifold is provided to a plurality of ink storage chambers.
3. A connection from above.
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 4. An ink jet head in which a plurality of ink storage chambers for storing ink to be ejected are arranged in an aligned state, and the ink jet head and an ink supply source are connected to each other to form a plurality of the aligned ink storages. A manifold having an ink supply path for supplying the ink of the ink supply source to the chamber, and detachably connected to an ink ejecting side of the ink jet head, and supplying the ink of the ink supply source to the plurality of ink storage chambers through the manifold. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a suction unit for filling; wherein the ink supply path is moved by suction of the suction unit while an interface of ink initially introduced from the ink supply source maintains a substantially flat curved surface. Toward the row end formed by the ink supply ports of the plurality of ink storage chambers. The first projecting inward while expanding in a tapered shape
And a second curved surface protruding outwardly following the first curved surface and connected to the inkjet head so as to surround the plurality of ink supply ports. Recording device. 5. The ink supply path, wherein the second curved surface is connected to the surface of the ink jet head including the ink supply ports of the plurality of ink storage chambers at a steep angle. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein 6. An ink jet head having a plurality of ink storage chambers for storing ink to be ejected arranged in an aligned state, wherein each of the ink supply ports for supplying ink to the plurality of ink storage chambers is opened on one surface. One end has an ink inlet connected to an ink supply source, and the other end is connected to the inkjet head,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a manifold having an ink supply path having an ink outlet opening to a size surrounding the plurality of ink supply ports; wherein the ink supply path of the manifold is inward on the ink inlet side. The plurality of ink supply ports are curved so as to protrude and expand in a tapered shape toward the row ends of the plurality of ink supply ports. An ink jet recording apparatus, which is connected to a surface at a steep angle.